KUALA LUMPUR: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation to strengthen regional ties and promote peace and security.
Speaking virtually at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit here today, Modi said India and ASEAN are working closely in areas such as maritime security, disaster relief and the blue economy.
He stated that India fully supports ASEAN priorities including digital inclusion, food security, and resilient supply chains in today’s complex global landscape.
Modi highlighted that India has firmly stood together with its ASEAN friends during every catastrophe and that cooperation is increasing rapidly across humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, and the blue economy.
He added that India and ASEAN are also actively working to enhance cooperation in areas such as education, tourism, science and technology, health, green energy and cybersecurity.
On October 23, the Indian Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ASEAN-India relations, stating that he looked forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually and deepening the existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the bloc.
Modi also reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, stressing that ASEAN remains a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy.
He emphasised that India has always supported ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific, noting steady progress in the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership even during periods of uncertainty.
India’s Act East Policy aims to strengthen economic, strategic and cultural ties with Southeast Asian countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region, enhancing regional cooperation and stability.
Highlighting the shared values and historic ties between India and ASEAN, Modi said both partners represent one-fourth of the world’s population and are fellow travellers from the Global South.
He stated that the partnership encompasses not just trade but culture as well, with both sides committed to nurturing shared cultural heritage and strengthening people-to-people ties.
The Indian leader also congratulated Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his successful chairmanship of ASEAN and thanked Philippine President Ferdinand R.
Marcos Jr for his role as country coordinator for India.
Modi then welcomed Timor-Leste as the newest member of the ASEAN family and extended condolences on behalf of the people of India to the royal family and people of Thailand on the passing of the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
India became ASEAN’s dialogue partner in 1996, with bilateral trade increasing to 106.83 billion US dollars in 2024, up from 100.72 billion US dollars in 2023.
However, foreign direct investment from India to ASEAN fell 34.97% to 3.31 billion US dollars in 2024, from 5.09 billion US dollars in 2023. – Bernama
